Life History

Other facts

Notes

• From a newspaper apparently called "The Record" from Grafton or Walsh
  County, North Dakota in November, 1911:
  THRONG ATTENDED THE LAST SAD RITES
  -  -  -  -  -
  The Funeral of Rev. John A. Ofstedahl Was the Largest Ever Held in
  Grafton
  -  -  -  -  -
  The spacious United Lutheran church of this city was unable to hold but
  a part of the throng of people who came last Wednesday to show their
  respect and regard for the Rev. John A. Ofstedahl.  Long before the
  appointed time for the ceremonies the church was filled and fully as
  many as were in the edifice remained without for lack of room.
  The services at the home were concluded shortly before 2 o'clock and
  the remains were taken to the church where the deceased had served so
  long and faithfully.  The chancel and altar had been draped in bands of
  black and white, while cut flowers and floral designs sent by loving
  friends literally crowded the front of the church.
  Four sets of pall bearers, two lay and two clerical, respectively bore
  the casket from the home to the hearse, from the hearse to the church,
  from the church to the hearse and from the hearse to the grave.  These
  bearers were: Clerical -- Revs. A.J. Huleting, Grand Forks; S.O. Braaten,
  Thompson; J.T. Langemo, Edinburg; F. Jorgenson, Grand Forks; J. Ringstad,
  Petersburg, George Taylor Rygh, Northfield, Minn.; J.M.O. Ness, Moorehead,
  Minn.; Martin Ronstad, Hatton; M. Silseth, Lankin; John Aarthum, Milton; G.
  Kluxdahl, Adams, and H. J. Glenn, Grand Forks.  Lay Bearers -- M.C. Holt,
  Gunder Erikstad, Lars Lykken, L.O. Torblaa; C.G. Moe, Ole Aas, Grafton; M.
  Pederson, P.A. Lunde, Andrew Davis, John J. Quam, St. Thomas; Jacob
  Nelson, Voss, and Halvor P. Ottem, Pembina.
  Besides the ministers who acted as pall bearers the following
  clergymen were present in the chancel: Revs. L.O. Lirkeberg, Hoople; O.
  Gulseth, Minneapolis, Minn.; A.J. Eikeland, Hatton; A. Ofstedahl,
  Northfield, Minn. and C.E. Stinson, J.O. Jacobson, W. Ingram and R.M.
  Broadbooks, of this city.  The Rev. L.F. Kirkeberg, president of the Park
  River district, preached the principal funeral sermon, taking his text
  form 1st Ephesians, 4, 1-14.  The following ministers preached in
  Norwegian: A.J. Hulteng, S.C. Braten, J.T. Langemo, F. Jorgenson, J.M.O.
  Ness, O. Gulseth and A. Ofstedahl.  Rev. George Taylor Rygh, who was
  ordained at the same time as the deceased, preached in English from
  John 14-1.  All of the speakers lauded the worth of the departed,
  commended his zeal for the Master and his devotion to his congregations.
  A large choir rendered appropriate music.
  During the entire service hundreds of men, women and children gave
  way to grief at the loss of their beloved friend and pastor, while the
  vast throng of sorrowing citizens testified to the high regard in which
  the deceased was held by the entire community.  At the grave the
  committal service was read by Rev. A. Ofstedahl, a brother of the
  deceased.
  From the same copy of the Record, the following letter was published:
  An Appreciation
  To the RECORD:
  I was very much shocked when I learned of the untimely death of Rev.
  John A. Ofstedahl, whom I have known and greatly respected for more
  than twenty years.  We are apt in this hurry-up life which we lead
  nowadays to note simply the passing of the individual, and fail entirely
  to appreciate the man.  I cannot say that I knew Rev. Ofstedahl
  intimately, yet our acquaintance all these years had been most cordial,
  and for that reason I want to say a word or two of appreciation.
  Ministers and teachers are not generally given credit for being factors
  in community life, yet I venture the statement that no man in Grafton
  wielded a greater influence for good upon the lives of that community
  than John Ofstedahl.  There was no bluster or boisterousness, only the
  doing each day for a quarter of a century, his simple duty as the friend
  and pastor of his people.  This, in my judgment, is the highest meed of
  praise and marks the really great man.  While he was primarily a pastor,
  still his interests were not confined to his congreation and church.  He
  was interested in education and during the twelve years that it was my
  privilege to work in the Grafton schools, Mr. Ofstedahl never failed to
  show his interest actively and helpfully.  He was interested in public
  affairs, not only as far as Grafton and the surrounding community was
  concerned, but also in the large interests of good government that
  affected the whole state.  Before the cares of church and family became
  too great, he was greatly interested in the Monday Night Club, and
  always gave evidence of scholarly attainments.
  He leaves behind him monuments in the form of churches and hospitals,
  yet his most enduring monument will be found in the lives of the people
  with who he has worked for many years, and for whom he has wrought
  faithfully . . .
  Grafton has been the richer for his living, and is all the poorer because
  he goes to his eternal rest just when his powers and influence wre the
  greatest.
  I am glad of this opportunity to pay my tribute to his memory and to his
  life.
  W.L. STOCKWELL
  Fargo, Nov. 17, 1911.
  ---------------
  John Ofstedahl is shown in Walsh County in the 1900 census.  However,
  it shows a birthdate of Sept 21, 1858 and him at the age of 41, different
  from other records.  It shows him living at 7th St. in Grafton.  He is with
  Anna, born Oct 1860 in Minnesota, and Gerhard, born Feb 1889 in
  Wisconsin, and five other children, Elmer (Dec 1890, 9), Carl (Feb 1893,
  7), Norvald (May 1895, 5), Esther (Sept 1898, 1), and Ledwin (1) -- all
  born in North Dakota. (Vol 13, ED 207, Sheet 24, Line 86)
  ---------------
  John Ofstedal(sic) is shown in the 1880 census on P. 284B of Rice
  County, Minnesota, Northfield Township, as at school, age 23, a single
  white male born in Norway, with both his parents born in Norway.  This
  was when he was a student at St. Olaf's College.
  ---------------
  From the directory of Norweigian-American ministers from St. Olav's
  College:  "Johannes Andersen Ofstedal, ordained, 1884; N.S., 1884-88;
  A.M., 1888-90; U.C. 1890-1911;  Born Sept. 6, 1857, at Voss Norway, of
  Anders S. Ostedal and Agathe (Lavik).  Attended Voss Teachers Training
  School, 1874-78.  Immigrated 1878.  Attended St. Olaf's College,
  1878-80; Luther Sem., 1881-84 (C.T.).  Pastor, Winchester, Wisconsin,
  1884-89; Grafton, North Dakota, 1889-1911.  Visitor, 1892-93,
  1898-99.  Board of Missions, 1908-11.  Married Anna Markuson, 1884.
  Died Nov. 12, 1911."
  From a newspaper apparently called "The Record" from Grafton or Walsh
  County, North Dakota in November, 1911:
  THRONG ATTENDED THE LAST SAD RITES
  -  -  -  -  -
  The Funeral of Rev. John A. Ofstedahl Was the Largest Ever Held in
  Grafton
  -  -  -  -  -
  The spacious United Lutheran church of this city was unable to hold but
  a part of the throng of people who came last Wednesday to show their
  respect and regard for the Rev. John A. Ofstedahl.  Long before the
  appointed time for the ceremonies the church was filled and fully as
  many as were in the edifice remained without for lack of room.
  The services at the home were concluded shortly before 2 o'clock and
  the remains were taken to the church where the deceased had served so
  long and faithfully.  The chancel and altar had been draped in bands of
  black and white, while cut flowers and floral designs sent by loving
  friends literally crowded the front of the church.
  Four sets of pall bearers, two lay and two clerical, respectively bore
  the casket from the home to the hearse, from the hearse to the church,
  from the church to the hearse and from the hearse to the grave.  These
  bearers were: Clerical -- Revs. A.J. Huleting, Grand Forks; S.O. Braaten,
  Thompson; J.T. Langemo, Edinburg; F. Jorgenson, Grand Forks; J. Ringstad,
  Petersburg, George Taylor Rygh, Northfield, Minn.; J.M.O. Ness, Moorehead,
  Minn.; Martin Ronstad, Hatton; M. Silseth, Lankin; John Aarthum, Milton; G.
  Kluxdahl, Adams, and H. J. Glenn, Grand Forks.  Lay Bearers -- M.C. Holt,
  Gunder Erikstad, Lars Lykken, L.O. Torblaa; C.G. Moe, Ole Aas, Grafton; M.
  Pederson, P.A. Lunde, Andrew Davis, John J. Quam, St. Thomas; Jacob
  Nelson, Voss, and Halvor P. Ottem, Pembina.
  Besides the ministers who acted as pall bearers the following
  clergymen were present in the chancel: Revs. L.O. Lirkeberg, Hoople; O.
  Gulseth, Minneapolis, Minn.; A.J. Eikeland, Hatton; A. Ofstedahl,
  Northfield, Minn. and C.E. Stinson, J.O. Jacobson, W. Ingram and R.M.
  Broadbooks, of this city.  The Rev. L.F. Kirkeberg, president of the Park
  River district, preached the principal funeral sermon, taking his text
  form 1st Ephesians, 4, 1-14.  The following ministers preached in
  Norwegian: A.J. Hulteng, S.C. Braten, J.T. Langemo, F. Jorgenson, J.M.O.
  Ness, O. Gulseth and A. Ofstedahl.  Rev. George Taylor Rygh, who was
  ordained at the same time as the deceased, preached in English from
  John 14-1.  All of the speakers lauded the worth of the departed,
  commended his zeal for the Master and his devotion to his congregations.
  A large choir rendered appropriate music.
  During the entire service hundreds of men, women and children gave
  way to grief at the loss of their beloved friend and pastor, while the
  vast throng of sorrowing citizens testified to the high regard in which
  the deceased was held by the entire community.  At the grave the
  committal service was read by Rev. A. Ofstedahl, a brother of the
  deceased.
  From the same copy of the Record, the following letter was published:
  An Appreciation
  To the RECORD:
  I was very much shocked when I learned of the untimely death of Rev.
  John A. Ofstedahl, whom I have known and greatly respected for more
  than twenty years.  We are apt in this hurry-up life which we lead
  nowadays to note simply the passing of the individual, and fail entirely
  to appreciate the man.  I cannot say that I knew Rev. Ofstedahl
  intimately, yet our acquaintance all these years had been most cordial,
  and for that reason I want to say a word or two of appreciation.
  Ministers and teachers are not generally given credit for being factors
  in community life, yet I venture the statement that no man in Grafton
  wielded a greater influence for good upon the lives of that community
  than John Ofstedahl.  There was no bluster or boisterousness, only the
  doing each day for a quarter of a century, his simple duty as the friend
  and pastor of his people.  This, in my judgment, is the highest meed of
  praise and marks the really great man.  While he was primarily a pastor,
  still his interests were not confined to his congreation and church.  He
  was interested in education and during the twelve years that it was my
  privilege to work in the Grafton schools, Mr. Ofstedahl never failed to
  show his interest actively and helpfully.  He was interested in public
  affairs, not only as far as Grafton and the surrounding community was
  concerned, but also in the large interests of good government that
  affected the whole state.  Before the cares of church and family became
  too great, he was greatly interested in the Monday Night Club, and
  always gave evidence of scholarly attainments.
  He leaves behind him monuments in the form of churches and hospitals,
  yet his most enduring monument will be found in the lives of the people
  with who he has worked for many years, and for whom he has wrought
  faithfully . . .
  Grafton has been the richer for his living, and is all the poorer because
  he goes to his eternal rest just when his powers and influence wre the
  greatest.
  I am glad of this opportunity to pay my tribute to his memory and to his
  life.
  W.L. STOCKWELL
  Fargo, Nov. 17, 1911.
  ---------------
  John Ofstedahl is shown in Walsh County in the 1900 census.  However,
  it shows a birthdate of Sept 21, 1858 and him at the age of 41, different
  from other records.  It shows him living at 7th St. in Grafton.  He is with
  Anna, born Oct 1860 in Minnesota, and Gerhard, born Feb 1889 in
  Wisconsin, and five other children, Elmer (Dec 1890, 9), Carl (Feb 1893,
  7), Norvald (May 1895, 5), Esther (Sept 1898, 1), and Ledwin (1) -- all
  born in North Dakota. (Vol 13, ED 207, Sheet 24, Line 86)
  ---------------
  John Ofstedal(sic) is shown in the 1880 census on P. 284B of Rice
  County, Minnesota, Northfield Township, as at school, age 23, a single
  white male born in Norway, with both his parents born in Norway.  This
  was when he was a student at St. Olaf's College.
  ---------------
  From the directory of Norweigian-American ministers from St. Olav's
  College:  "Johannes Andersen Ofstedal, ordained, 1884; N.S., 1884-88;
  A.M., 1888-90; U.C. 1890-1911;  Born Sept. 6, 1857, at Voss Norway, of
  Anders S. Ostedal and Agathe (Lavik).  Attended Voss Teachers Training
  School, 1874-78.  Immigrated 1878.  Attended St. Olaf's College,
  1878-80; Luther Sem., 1881-84 (C.T.).  Pastor, Winchester, Wisconsin,
  1884-89; Grafton, North Dakota, 1889-1911.  Visitor, 1892-93,
  1898-99.  Board of Missions, 1908-11.  Married Anna Markuson, 1884.
  Died Nov. 12, 1911."